Add Bat Houses For Natural Insect Control

Add a bat house to control insect populations naturally. Available in Cedar, Redwood or Recycled Plastic, bat houses provide proper shelter for beneficial little brown bats. Try butterfly feeders, and adding a butterfly house to provide shelter. Butterflies also adore the gentle spray of leaf misters.

Bats and Bat Houses:
Proper placement of bat houses ensures the chance of occupacy. Utilize placement so that the bat house provides shelter and meets the need which bats have for stable temperatures.

Bat Houses should be mounted at least 10 feet, preferably 15 to 20 feet above ground, to a tree, pole or structure. If mounting to a tree, be sure the house is clear of branches, as they will hinder a bat's flight. A South or Southeast exposure is best, allowing the house to receive full sun. If there is more than one bat house, face the second in a different direction to allow for varying temperatures, this is a key factor in whether or not bats will occupy houses. See more information on bats and bat houses below.

Butterflies:
Gardening for butterflies is a great way to attract them, with Milkweed and Lantana being some favorites plants. If using a nectar feeder, dissolve 2 teaspoons of table sugar in one cup of boiling water (this dissolves sugar thoroughly). Let cool, and store unused nectar in the fridge for up to two weeks. DO NOT use stronger solutions of nectar (less than a 20:1 ratio) as they are difficult for butterflies to digest and can be lethal.

Over ripened fruit is a great treat for butterflies. It may be placed on a feeder or shallow plate. Bananas, melons, oranges, pineapple, peaches and pears are sought after morsels, but make sure fruit does not mold. Leaf Misters are a wonderful addition to any habitat, and butterflies love them. Placing a large rock nearby in the sun allows them to rest and dry. Butterfly houses provide shelter from predators and inclement weather. 

Bats Continued:
Bats do prefer habitat that is near water, such as a creek, stream, lake or river. Another way to entice bats to their new home is by adding insects! Simply place some kind of small light or night light nearby to attract mosquitoes and other insects...bats are likely to follow if they are in your area.

Bat houses are available in different sizes, to accommodate different groups. The single chamber bat houses usually host a smaller group of males, while the triple-chamber models house whole colonies, including offspring. No matter the size, the bat house should be well built, with no gaps or leaky areas.

In the Northeast US, there is a serious fungus afflicting brown bats, and scientists even fear it may wipe out an entire species.

Please take a moment to learn about "White Nose Syndrome" in this informative and very well narrated video clip.

White-nose Syndrome from Gerrit Vyn on Vimeo.